Schottenkirche, Vienna

Schottenkirche is a church located at Freyung Square. This is a parish church with a history dating as far back as the 12th century when founded by Irish and Scottish Benedictine monks. However, the church building you see today is from the more recent Baroque period. The exterior is three level facade with embedded column structures, small statue niches. The entrance is flanked by two small side towers. Windows include ornamentation while the pediment and roof are topped with angelic figure and golden crosses. The interior is a decorated with marble walls lined with columns, moderate ornamentation and a ceiling with leafy pattern and frescos. The alter is attractive. There are side chapels Baroque in style as well. Unfortunately, we found the main nave is blocked by a screen, preventing further access into the main nave and side chapels. As such, we were only able to view the church interior from the back. In the end, much less ornate than other Baroque churches in the city centre, we liked what we could see at Schottenkirche. Would have much enjoyed having been able to explore the interior more than was possible. Hopefully others will have better access to the church at other times of the year.

Present Church, which goes by the name Scottish Abbey dating back to 1155, founded as a Benedictines Abbey when Henry II of Austria. Possible to visit inside or even the nearby Museum.